Safety Facts and Side Effects About Carrageenan

Carrageenan, CAS# 9000-07-1, is a polysaccharide manufactured through chemical synthesis, available as Cream white powder. Carrageenan is widely used as thickeners. with E number E407.
Is there some safety and/or health risk about Carrageenan that consumers need to know? Let's check out some basic facts about this ingredient.

GRAS Exemptions: Yes

Generally recognized as safe(GRAS) is a FDA designation that a specific substance or ingredient is generally considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Carrageenan is perfectly safe for using as food additives.

Suggested Dosage

As Carrageenan is widely known as safe, there is no limit on dosage of intake. However, we still recommend consumers to consult professionals before using large quantity of Carrageenan for long period.

Special Groups Precaution

Special groups refer to newborns, children, pregnant and any other applicable vulnerable groups.
There is no evidence that Carrageenan could have any negative effects on these vulnerable groups. It should be safe to use Carrageenan in food for newborns and pregnant. However, we still recommend consumers to consult professionals before using large quantity of Carrageenan for long period in food for newborns or pregnant.

General Side Effects

No significant side effects reported. There is a chemically altered form of carrageenan that might cause cancer.

Reported Health Issues

No health issues about Carrageenan reported up to now.

Related Research

1. Food additive carrageenan: Part II: A critical review of carrageenan in vivo safety studies. [Crit Rev Toxicol. 2014 Mar]
Author: Weiner ML.
2. Food additive carrageenan: Part I: A critical review of carrageenan in vitro studies, potential pitfalls, and implications for human health and safety. [Crit Rev Toxicol. 2014 Mar]
Author: McKim JM.
3. Efficacy and safety of an antiviral Iota-Carrageenan nasal spray: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study in volunteers with early symptoms of the common cold.[Respir Res. 2010 Aug 10]
Author: Eccles R, Meier C, Jawad M, Weinmüllner R, Grassauer A, Prieschl-Grassauer E.
4. Carrageenan: a safe additive. [Kirsch PP.]
Author: Kirsch PP.
5. Preliminary safety and acceptability of a carrageenan gel for possible use as a vaginal microbicide. [Sex Transm Infect. 2000 Dec]
Author: Coggins C, Blanchard K, Alvarez F, Brache V, Weisberg E, Kilmarx PH, Lacarra M, Massai R, Mishell D Jr, Salvatierra A, Witwatwongwana P, Elias C, Ellertson C.
Carrageenan is one of the popular food additives and ingredients in most countries, As a professional Carrageenan suppliers, Foodchem International Corporation has been supplying and exportingCarrageenan from China for almost 10 years, please be assured to buyCarrageenan at Foodchem. Any inquiries and problems please feel free to send emails to us .Email: inquiry@foodchem.cn. Tel: +86-21-3126-7000 ext 133.we will reply you within 1 working day.
http://www.foodchemadditives.com/products/carrageenan